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- Winemaker: Francois Morissette
- Farming: Organic
- Variety: Riesling
- Terroir: Redfoot Vineyard in Lincoln Lakeshore VQA in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula. Lincoln Lakeshore is the westernmost portion of the wider Niagara Peninsula area. It is therefore the furthest from the waters of the Niagara River. The vineyards enjoy a maritime climate despite their continental location. Lincoln Lakeshore's top layers of soil are very varied in composition and depth, based on glacial deposits and part of the ancient lakebed of the Lake Iroquois Plain. These soils lie above the more consistent layer of iron-rich red Queenstown shale that is found in much of the Niagara Peninsula.
- Vinification: Harvested November 29 & 30, pressed as 100% whole bunches. Native yeast fermentation in old foudre with no temperature control.
- Aging: Aged on its lees in foudre (no racking) for 16 months.
AUGUST 2023 BOTTLE CULT Club Notes:
Winemaker François Morissette began his journey as a sommelier in Quebec. But oh, the allure of Burgundy! He headed to France, where for seven years he apprenticed and worked at renowned estates like Alain Gras, Domaine Henri Gouges, and Domaine Roulot. He then brought his experience back to the vineyards of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, François's devotion to terroir-driven, single-vineyard winemaking extends beyond Canada, resonating with sommeliers worldwide.
A short 30-minute drive west from Niagara Falls along Lake Ontario's shore takes you to Pearl Morissette's vineyards in the cool and breezy Lincoln Lakeshore subregion. Averaging around 76°F due to off-shore breezes of Lakes Ontario and Erie, the region's ancient seabed terrain and sandy-shale soils create a perfect drainage system—a vital combo, given the region's annual rainfall of up to 20 inches during the growing season. The cool, extended growing season often kicks off later but lasts longer than California's, making it perfect for grapes like Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc.
This organically farmed Riesling was handpicked from Redfoot Vineyard in late November. The whole bunches were pressed and indigenous yeast initiated a long fermentation within a single old foudre. Staying true to François's minimal-intervention philosophy, he skipped temperature control and sulfur additions, opting for a slow process of lees-aging and micro-oxygenation during the 16 months of maturation, with no racking or movement; François didn't want to interrupt the delicate transformation or introduce excess oxygen before bottling. The outcome? A bone-dry Riesling, sporting a gentle nuttiness and classic aromas—almond skin, petrol, wet river rocks, and lime blossoms. Its deep mineral character carries a hint of honeyed undertones. The true beauty of Riesling lies in its transparency to terroir, and we can taste Lake Ontario's influence. It's the kind of wine that surprises and kickstarts conversations; our sommelier Parker Story, after a taste, proclaimed, "That Riesling blew my head off!" The Oxyde is perfect to pop with your geekiest friends. Pair it with spicy tuna handrolls or crispy fried chicken! — Cara Patricia, August 2023